Physical Science & Technology Division

Detection Capability Area: Develops real-time capabilities to detect, identify, quantify, and track the presence of all CB agent threats.

Primary Focus Areas:

• Lightweight, integrated point detectors
• Standoff surface detection of chemical agents
• Whole pathogen genome sequencing system design
• Data fusion, multi-technology system design

Key Scientific and Technical Challenges:

• Expansion of the number of detectable materials
• Techniques and algorithms for discriminating signatures from a complex background
• High sensitivity imaging of contaminants on surfaces
• Near-real time sequencing of entire pathogens

Protection and Hazard Mitigation Capability Area: Develops technology solutions in full-spectrum CBR physical protection and hazard mitigation, and transitions these technologies to the material developer in order to meet the warfighter’s needs. Focuses on low-burden solutions.

Primary Focus Areas:

• Address hazard mitigation challenges using a systems approach
• Support the Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble concept
• Address the full spectrum of threat
• Improve performance while reducing life-cycle and logistical costs
• Provide test methodologies that are consistent and relevant

Key Scientific and Technical Challenges:

• Molecular synthesis, engineering, and scale-up of materials
• Achieving effectiveness at an affordable cost
• New materials that perform well across the environmental spectrum

Test, Demonstrations and Integration Capability Area: Integrates, demonstrates, and transitions maturing CBRN technologies, test and evaluation methodologies, and advanced operational concepts into structured Advanced Technology Demonstrations of next generation CBRN capabilities.

Capability Deliverables:

• Enhanced early warning time and confidence towards C2 decision support through taskable sensors in a layered defense family of systems
• Enhanced individual and collective protective equipment that does not increase thermal burden or decrease the effectiveness of the warfighter
• Enhanced integration of tactical biological surveillance and rapid medical response to and mitigate effects of a bio attack on a detached unit operating forward
• Improved detailed equipment decon process for vehicles, a collaborative interagency systems approach to wide area decontamination following biological agent release, and an integrated system of technologies and processes to mitigate CB hazards